Institute of International Container Lessors

What Institute of International Container Lessors does

The Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) is a 1971-founded Delaware-incorporated trade association headquartered in Washington, DC, that represents the world's largest marine container and intermodal chassis lessors. Its nine member companies include Beacon Intermodal Leasing, CAI International, Direct ChassisLink (DCLI), FlexiVan, Seaco Global, SeaCube Container Leasing, Textainer Group Holdings, TOUAX Container Leasing, TRAC Intermodal, and Triton International Limited. IICL operates as a member-driven association with no external parent or venture ownership, and is recognized as a non-governmental organization by the International Maritime Organization while maintaining active engagement with ISO, the World Customs Organization, UNCTAD, and the UN Economic and Social Council.

Name

Institute of International Container Lessors

Legal name

Institute of International Container Lessors, Ltd

Website

https://iicl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) is a Washington, DC-based trade association founded in 1971 that sets technical standards, administers inspector certification exams, and publishes repair manuals for the global container and chassis leasing industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Standards and Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Container/Chassis Inspection, Certification & Compliance Services (CSC, IICL, DOT/FMCSA) (TLAKACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Container leasing standards
• Inspector certification programs
• Chassis inspection training
• Marine container codes
• Shipping industry publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Examination Fees: IICL generates revenue through registration fees for container and chassis inspector certification exams. Exams are offered in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Chinese) at various price points. Initial certification and re-take exams are priced differently.
2. Training Course Fees: Revenue from in-person training courses conducted globally (Dry Van, Refrigerated, Chassis Inspection & Repair courses) and online training courses with varying access periods.
3. Publications and Manuals Sales: Sales of technical manuals, guides, and inspection tools through the IICL online store. Both hardcopy and digital formats are available with pricing ranging from $12 to $75 per publication.
4. Digital Manual Licenses: Digital versions of IICL publications sold as device-specific licenses with no expiration, protected by Locklizard DRM technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) is a trade association that develops and maintains industry standards for the container and chassis leasing sector. It sells globally recognized inspector certification examinations (Dry Van, Refrigerated, Chassis), online and in-person training courses, hardcopy and DRM-protected digital technical manuals, specialized inspection tools, 3D instructional videos, and proprietary Equipment Code Standards (ECS/CCS). Offerings are delivered through an online Learning Center, a Pearson VUE testing network of more than 5,100 centers, and direct in-person training worldwide.

Product overview

The Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) is a trade association offering a unified platform of industry standards, certification, and education services for the container and chassis leasing industry. The core offering is the IICL Learning Center, which provides certification exams for Container Inspectors (Dry Van and Refrigerated) and Chassis Inspectors, along with online training courses (IMO CSC Convention, Dry Van Container Training with CSC bonus), and in-person training courses. Supporting products include the Publications and Tools Store offering hardcopy and digital manuals (Guide for Container Equipment Inspection 6th Ed., Repair Manual for Steel Freight Containers 5th Ed., General Guide for Refrigerated Container Inspection & Repair 4th Ed., Container Chassis Inspection & Maintenance 4th Ed., and specialized inspection tools), the 3D 'How to Measure' educational video series, Technical Documents including Equipment Code Standards (ECS) and Container Chassis Code Standards (CCS), the Inspector Directory, and the Equipment Recovery Database. IICL also provides API access to depot and equipment code data for industry integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IICL Learning Center: Online education and certification platform for container and chassis inspector training and examination

Products and services

• IICL Learning Center Comprehensive online education platform offering certification exam registration, online and in-person training courses, exam simulators, and course materials for container and chassis inspectors worldwide. Available at testing.iicl.org.
• Container Inspector Certification Exams (Dry Van and Refrigerated) Computer-based certification examinations for Dry Van and Refrigerated Container inspectors, offered in over 5,100 Pearson VUE test centers worldwide in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Each exam is valid for five years with a 70% passing score requirement.
• Chassis Inspector Certification Examination Two-hour computer-based chassis inspection certification exam based on IICL Guide for Container Chassis Inspection and Maintenance, 4th Edition. Valid for five years with 70% passing score.
• IICL Online Training Courses (Dry Van and IMO CSC) Online subscription-based training courses covering Dry Van container inspection and the IMO Convention for Safe Containers (CSC). Includes exam simulators and test preparation content. Available with multi-month access periods.
• In-Person Dry Van Container Inspection and Repair Training Course One-day in-person training course covering IICL-6 inspection criteria, repair techniques, ISO/IMO standards, and hands-on depot visits. Includes digital manuals. Conducted in cities worldwide.
• In-Person Refrigerated Container Inspection and Repair Training Course One-day in-person training course covering reefer container inspection, machinery standards, foam density testing, structural repairs, pre-trip inspections, and data download procedures. Includes digital manuals.
• Container Chassis Inspection and Maintenance Course One-day in-person training course covering chassis inspection procedures, repair worthiness criteria, US vs international chassis standards, IEPs, leasing vs ownership, and chassis pool operations. Conducted in cities including Chicago.
• IICL Publications and Tools Store Online store (store.iicl.org) offering hardcopy and digital manuals including Guide for Container Equipment Inspection (6th Ed.), Repair Manual for Steel Freight Containers (5th Ed.), General Guide for Refrigerated Container Inspection & Repair (4th Ed.), Container Chassis Inspection & Maintenance (4th Ed.), and specialized inspection tools.
• IICL Digital Manuals Electronic versions of IICL publications (digital manuals) protected by Locklizard DRM. Available for computers, smartphones, and tablets with device-specific perpetual licenses and no expiration. Cannot be printed or screen-copied.
• IICL 3D 'How to Measure' Videos Series of 3D animated instructional videos demonstrating proper measurement techniques for assessing damages to dry van container components. Over 40 videos of 30-50 seconds each, created in partnership with Maritime TV.
• IICL Technical Documents and Codes (ECS, CCS, ISO/CEDEX) Technical bulletins and codes including Dry Van, Chassis, Reefer, Open Top, and Flatrack Technical Bulletins; ISO/CEDEX Codes; Equipment Code Standards (ECS) for Dry Van, Open Top, and Refrigerated Containers; and Container Chassis Code Standards (CCS).
• IICL Rolltrailer Inspection and Repair Guide First dedicated IICL Inspection and Repair Manual for Roll trailers, expanding the code standards and manuals portfolio beyond dry van, reefer, and chassis equipment types.
• IICL Inspection Tools Specialized physical tools for container inspectors including Chipping Hammer, New Roof Measuring Kit, Reference Line, New Reefer Measuring Magnet, Spacers, Damage Measurement Rulers, and bundled tool kits.
• Certified Inspector Directory Public directory of over 8,600 certified container inspectors in 72 countries, plus companies employing IICL-certified inspectors. Updated annually.
• IICL API for Depot and Equipment Code Data API providing access to depot information and standardized equipment code data (ECS/CCS) for the container leasing and chassis provider industry. Used by industry participants to integrate IICL standards into their systems.
• IICL Equipment and Chassis Recovery Database Search tool for tracking and recovering stolen and under-recovery container and chassis equipment. Available to member companies and industry participants.
• IICL Test Simulator Online test simulator for IICL certification exam preparation, offering practice questions and exam-format exposure for container inspector candidates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,600+ certified inspectors in 72 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Maritime TVsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024IICL partnered with Maritime TV to develop 3D animated 'How to Measure' instructional videos demonstrating proper container damage measurement techniques.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreOthers · 1 January 1971IICL is recognized as a non-governmental organization (NGO) by the International Maritime Organization. The organization maintains active engagement with IMO on matters related to container safety, CSC Convention, and international shipping regulations.
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)coreOthers · 1 January 1971IICL is active with ISO, contributing to the development of container standards including ISO/CEDEX codes. IICL technical documents harmonize with ISO requirements for container inspection and safety.
• World Customs Organization (WCO)coreOthers · 1 January 1971IICL maintains active engagement with the World Customs Organization on customs, regulatory, and trade facilitation matters affecting containerized cargo.
• UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)coreOthers · 1 January 1971IICL is active with UNCTAD on matters related to international trade, transportation, and containerization standards.
• UN Economic and Social CouncilcoreOthers · 1 January 1971IICL maintains consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council for engagement on global economic and social policy matters affecting the container industry.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationPearson VUE provides the computer-based testing infrastructure for IICL certification exams at over 5,100 testing centers worldwide. Their platform handles exam delivery, scheduling, and scoring.
• LocklizardsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLocklizard provides DRM technology for protecting and distributing IICL digital manuals. The system prevents unauthorized copying and printing while allowing legitimate access on authorized devices.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bureau International des Containers (BIC): International non-profit that registers container owners and operates the BIC Code, the industry-standard container identification system. Closest peer to IICL in function, governance model (trade association), and container-industry scope.
• Container Owners Association (COA): UK-based trade association representing container owners, lessors, and operators worldwide. Comparable to IICL in advocacy, networking, and standards-promotion role for the container industry, although smaller and without IICL's certification focus.
• Intermodal Association of North America (IANA): North American trade association for the intermodal container/chassis industry, overlapping directly with IICL on chassis-related standards and stakeholder engagement in the same customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International): Global standards and certification body for the broader mobility/transportation industry. Comparable in operating model (standards development, professional certification, publications) though it addresses a much wider mobility scope than IICL's container focus.
• ASTM International: Major international standards organization developing technical standards across industries, including transportation equipment. Peer in the standards-development and publication revenue model, although its scope is far broader than containers.
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL): Global safety certification and standards body. Operates a similar testing/certification and training business model at much greater scale, with comparable revenue mix of standards, certifications, and educational services.
• TÜV SÜD: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company offering inspector training and certification across industries. Comparable in commercial delivery of certification programs and training for technical inspectors.
• Intertek: Global TIC services company with industry-specific certification and training programs. Peer in monetizing certification and training, but serves a much broader industry footprint than container-specific IICL.

Others

• International Air Transport Association (IATA): International trade association for airlines, comparable to IICL in operating a global standards-setting, training, and certification organization with member-driven governance — relevant as a structural peer in the trade-association business model.

Regional players

• American Trucking Associations (ATA): Largest US trade association for the trucking industry, overlapping IICL's chassis customer base (motor carriers). Comparable as an industry association advocating standards and providing training, though regionally US-focused rather than global.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/iicl-technical-iicl-6405b8166

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute of International Container Lessors